babson



June 14, 1938. w, BABSON Re. 20,764

\ PARKING METER Original Filed Jan. 11, 1950 2 Shts-Sheet 1 Reiuued June 14, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE No. 420,270, January 11, 1930. Application reissue July 1, 1936, Serial No. 88,415

25 Claims.

The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus or means for use in connection with automobiles parked at the sides of public streets, to indicate prominently and in a readily distinguishable manner when a car has remained parked beyond the prescribed limit of time. It is useful also for analogous purposes in analogous situations, wherefore the above mentioned specific useis to be understood as illustrative and not limiting of the scope of protection which I claim. In this understanding I will proceed with the ex-' planation of the invention, its purposes and advantages, as related primarily to the particular use mentioned.

Itis well known that parking of automobiles on the busy streets of the larger cities is a serious problem and a detriment to traffic and mercantile business. Most municipalities limit such parking, by ordinance or police regulation, to definite 2o periods of time, and penalize automobile owners who overstay such limits. The enforcement of these regulations is dimcult and requires close oversight by a large number of police oflicers of the streets on which limited parking is permitted. In a prior patent dated October 15,1929, No. 1,731,839, I have disclosed one solution of the problem. by requiring the motorist who hasoverstayed his free parking time to make payment of an amount of money proportional 'to the length of overstay before he can remove the car, thus providing a revenue to the city for use of the streets as a parking space. By the present invention I have provided another solution of the same problem, which does not necessarily, al-- though it may, require payment ofmoney by the overtime parker, but does greatly simplify the task of supervision by the police ofllcers over areas on which limited parking is permitted. In its main essentials, it comprises a conspicuous signal, preferably lights in different colors, one of which is caused to show when the automobili'st parks his car in the permitted area, and the other of which is automatically caused to show after lapse of a predetermined time. It further includes mechanism for controlling these signals, and accessory devices, all of which are explained in the following description of a concrete embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings, P Fig. l is a perspective view showing part of a parked automobile adjacent to a signal post on which the signals and controlling means therefor are mounted; v

Fig.2 is an elevation of the box or casing containing the signal controllng mechanism of the for invention, together with a fragment of the post on which it is mounted;

Fig. 3 is a partial side elevation and partial section of a plug or connector in the possession of, the car owner, by which the signal controlling means is put in operation;

N Fig. 3a is a fragmentary elevation of a detail of such connector;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the same plug or connector as seen from the right of Fig. 3;

Fig, 5 is a sectional view of the same taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing thelock of the connector in a different position from that shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the parts below line 'l-"i of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the box containing the control mechanism, showing parts of such mechanism in elevation and other parts in section;

Fig. 9 is a cross section on line 9- 8 of Fig. 8;'

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevation of a locking device associated with the signal controlling mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on line llll of Fig.8, of a circuit closer actuated by the motorists plug or connector and cooperating therewith to complete the electric circuit through the signal lights and motor;

Fig. 12 is a diagram of the electrical circuits of the device organized to receive. power from the battery of the automobile;

Fig. 13 is a diagram of the circuit used when current is supplied from the electric light service line of the community, or other source outside of the automobile battery.

Like reference characters designate the same parts wherever they occur in all the figures.

Describing now the particular apparatus here shown, as illustrative of the principles of the invention, without implying limitation thereof to this specific device, I will take, first, the case in 1 which power is derived from .the electric lighting service, the electrical diagram of which is shown.

in Fig. 13. The controllingmechanism is contained in a box M mounted on a post l5, of any suitable character, erected beside the curb, side- ,walk curb, or elsewhere adjacent to any space in which parking is permitted, on which are mounted in a prominent position signals l6 and il.

Preferably these signals are differently colored lights, and it may be assumed that His a green light and- Il a red light, surrounded by lenticular glasses which direct therays horizontally. The

automobile driver, upon bringing his car to rest beside the post, inserts a-plug or connector I6 in orifices provided for its reception in the front wall or cover of the box l4. The inserted plug completes the electric control circuits of the apparatus. Attention is called to Fig. 13 for an explanation of the electric circuits, and to Fig. 11 for illustration of a preferred circuit closer. The wires of the power line are designated l3 and 26. A conductor 21 leads from a connection with the positive side IQ of the power line to one of the contacts 22 of a break switch 22, 23, the other contact of which is coupled by a conductor 24 with a contact member 25 carried by a circuit closer lever 26 andadapted to be engaged by the motorists inserted plug I6. A stationary contact 21, also adapted to be engaged by the inserted plug is connected to a'conductor 28 which leads to a second break switch 29, 36 in a circuit 3| leading to a motor 32. The latter is connected electrically with the return side 20 of the power line, either by a direct conductor 33 or by being grounded on the case 14, on which also the return line is grounded, as indicated at 34, for a purpose later described.

The motor may be any sort of electric motor suited to the available current and capable of running at a substantially uniform rate. In situations where alternating current is available,

, ternately by the member 35 in its different positions. The contact 31 is connected by a conductor 39 with the green light I6, and the contact 38 is connected by a conductor 40 with the red light l1. Connections between these lights and the return side of the line are indicated at 4| and a1, and may be separate wires, a single wire, in part, or the casing itself. A shunt circuit conductor 42 from the line I9 contains a solenoid coil 43 and leads to an electrical connection at 44 with the circuit closing lever 26. The core 45 of the solenoid is arranged in such proximity to the break switch arm 23 that, when the solenoid is energized, it displaces said arm and breaks the circuit through that switch.

These circuits are controlled by the inserted plug or connector 18 as follows. The body of this connector is of non-conductive material and has two parallel prongs 45' and 46 suitably spaced gage simultaneously with the contacts 25 and 21 when the connector is inserted, and when the lever 26 is moved by the prong 46 into the position shown in Fig. 11. As here shown, the conductive material carried by prong 45 consists of two metal strips 49 and 50 secured to opposite sides of the prong andmechanically separated by the non-conducting substance of the prong but electrically connected in any suitable way. In Fig. 13 the electrical connection is indicated as a conductor 5| embedded in the body of the connector. However, the conductive bridge may be otherwise arranged in any desired suitable way so far as the embodiment of the invention now being considered is concerned. But the arrangement of the conductors 43 and 50 here shown is preferred, because it enables the same design of plug to be used in the case where current for operating the electrical apparatus is derived from the battery of the automobile, as will be presently described.

The lever 26 is connected with a spring 52 so that the contact 25 tends to be retracted from the inserted position of the conductor 50 and the opposite arm of the lever to be advanced toward the entrance opening for the prong 46. When the proper connector is inserted, the prong 46 thereof first engages and pushes back the advanced arm of lever 26, pushing forward the arm which carries the contact 25 until the latter is brought into engagement with the conductor 50 at the instant when the connector is fully inserted and the conductor 49 comes into engagement with the stationary contact 21. The latter contact and the metallic lever 26 are mounted on a support 53 of insulating material. and the contact 25 is insulated from the lever by a bushing 54. Conductor 42 is in metallic conducting connection with the body of lever 26.

This organization of the circuit closing means is designed to prevent operation of the system by anything. except an authorized connector. A metal rodor the like inserted through the opening 41 cannot make simultaneous engagement with the contacts 25 and 21 except when the lever 26 is simultaneously moved by another body inserted through the opening 48. If an instrument such as a screw driver, nail, wire, etc. which may be convenient to the car owners hand is used thus to move the lever, it completes the circuit containing solenoid 43 and causes the switch 23 to be opened, thus breaking the operating circuits of the motor and signal lamps. The complete circuit in which the solenoid is contained includes an electrical connection between the line wire 20 and a conductive part of the case, indicated in the diagram as a ground.

34, with which the above mentioned inserted instrument must inevitably come in contact when lever 56 is pivoted on a support 51 in the case and has an edge or lip 58 arranged to be displaced by the beveled end faces 59 (Fig. 7) of the inserted connector prongs and to enter notches 60 in the side of the prongs under the influence of a spring 6|. An operating lever 62 is pivoted to the front wall of the case and carries a pin 63 extending to front and rear. The rear end of this pin overlaps the latch lever and its forward end passes through a curvedslot 64 in the front wall, concentric with the axis of the operating lever, and carries a knob or handle 65. A spring 66 normally holds the operating lever in its upright position, where it leaves the latch lever free to engage the connector prongs, while movement of the operating lever to the right with respect to Figs. 2 and 8 releases the latch lever from the prongs. A stop pin 61 on the supporting block arrests the latch lever in the position first described.

The motor 32 drives a gear train 68, 63, 10, H with a speed reduction such that the gear 1| turns at any desired relatively slow rate, for exshown in Fig. 10.

ample, at the rate of once per hour or once in rying shaft 12 to be thus turnedwithout turning two hours, once in half an hour, or whatever rate may be suited to the established parking limit.

The gear II is loose on a shaft 12 and its hub 5 13 forms one member of a friction clutch, the other member ll of which is splined on shaft 12 and pressed firmly against the member 13 by a spring 15 which reacts against a collar 16 on the shaft. This shaft carries on its forward end cam members 11, I8, and a gear pinion I9. The pinion meshes with rack teeth 8|) on a bar 8| which serves as an obstructor for the latch and is mounted in guides so as to move endwise toward and away from the latch lever 58 in the same 'plane therewith.

The cam member 11 is arranged to act on the previously described switch lever 35, which is either itself a spring, or is spring influenced, so that as the cam member rotates in a counter- 20 clockwise direction (with respect to Fig. 8, it eventually raises said switch lever from its normal position of engagement with contact 31 to an engagement with contact 38; thus extinguishing the green light and illuminating the red light. The

other cam member 18 acts on a lever 82, pivoted at 83 and arranged to overlap the end of switch arm 28, which also may be either a springer a spring influenced arm and is normally in engagement with contact 30. The engagement of cam 18 with lever 82 is made through a pin 84 which is movable endwlse through the lever and is yieldingly urged toward the cam by a spring 85;.this yielding means being provided to permit operation by the same lever of the later described lock for the rack bar 8|. v

The bar 8| is advanced simultaneously with the rotation of the cam members, and when the latter arrive in the position for shifting the .switch arms 35 and 29, the advancing end of the 4 bar approaches close to the latch lever 5 8, within a distance less' than that through which the adjacent part of such lever must be moved when unlocking the inserted connector prongs. At the same time a notch 85 arrives in position to receive the end of a lock bolt 88 which is movable endwise in a guide 81 and is connected by a link 88 with that arm of lever 82 which lies at the opposite side of pivot 88 from the part which i er coming to bear on pin 84 and stores power while the bolt bears on the under side of bar 8|, ready to project the bolt as soon'as the notch '85 arrives in receiving position, and at the same time open the switch 28 and stop the motor, as

In this condition the latch lever 58 is obstructed so that itcannot be moved to release the 1nserted connector. Release is then possible only by means of a key in the possession of the oillcer 5 on duty at the locality. A key hole 88 is provided in the front wall of thecasing to admit a key,

98 (Fig. 10) in position to engage the under side of lever "and raise it, withdrawing the bolt 86. The spring 85 yields to permit such action even I though the cam then obstructs the pin 84.

Thereafter the unlocking movement given to the latch lever by means of the operating .lever 82 obstructing bar and cams in their'starting posithe motor.

At'any time prior to the. taking effect of the locking bolt, the car owner may release his connector by simply turning the operating lever, without assistance from a police ofllcer. The lock controlled by the latter, although avaluable adjunct by reason of its effectiveness in requiring the motorist to report hisown infraction of the parking regulations, is not an absolute essential and may be dispensed with in some situations. In order that the same apparatus may be used either with or without such a lock, I have provided a simple means for making it eflective or ineffective at will. For this purpose a wrist pin 8| through which link 88 is connected to the lever, is provided on an extension from a pin or disk 92 rotatablymounted in a bearing in the lever. so that the wrist pin can be shifted to positions more or less remote from the pivot 83 and from bar 8|, or between positions on opposite sides of such pivot. With the parts proportioned as shown'in these'drawings, movement of the wrist pin from the full line to the dotted line position of Fig. 8 brings it approximately in line with the bolt and close to the lever pivot 83, whereby normal movement of the lever proas a set screw 92a.

v I have shown here a keyof the simplest possiblecharacter for unlocking'the bolt, in order to explain the principles of the'invention with the least avoidable complication; but it will be understood that any suitable safeguards 01' known character may be'provided toprevent pickingof the lock or unlocking it by anything but a particular authorized key. I

I have provided also a safeguard to prevent the ear owner from extendingthe parking time by releasing the connector and immediately coupling it again. I have explained above that when the operating handle 85 is turned to the right,

' it causes the time mechanism to be reset at the starting point. In the absence of any preventive means, this would enable the car owner to obtain unlimited parking time by resetting the apparatus at intervals slightly shorter than the permitted parking time. The device here shown-for ppreventing this, which is one of various means which may be utilized for the purpose, consists of a spring 8| secured at its lower end to a sup porting block of insulating material and carrying on its upper end a weight 88 of such mass that it has a relatively slow rate of vibration.

This loaded spring is of such length and 'flexibilit'y that when set into vibration it will continue vibrating fora considerable time. It crosses the am of a pin 81 carried by the latch lever ll so that the latter, when moved by theoperating lever, deflects the spring, somewhat as shown by dotted linesin Fig. 8. A stop." is mounted in a'stationary position to be engaged by the spring I at a point between the flxed end of the latter and the point at which it is engaged by the pin 81, so thatwhen thus deflected the spring is bent somewhat around the-stop. This stop is insulatedfrom the supporting structure and is" conswings the latch lever to the right and resets the 1 nected electrically by a conductor 88 with the circuit .of the red ,signalqlight, thegspring meanwhat is being done.

the contact 21 of the circuit closer, and thus with the current supply line I9. Thus when the operating lever 02 is swung over and released, the spring is set into vibration and strikes the stop 90 several times in succession. If the connector plug is left in the box meanwhile, the red signal light is illuminated several times in succession, calling the attention of the oificer on watch to But if the motorist is merely releasing the plug preparatory to going away, he withdraws it as soon as it is released and the consequent breaking of the lamp circuit prevents the red light from flashing. It is possible by this means to cause repeated contact between the spring and the stop 90 over a period of several minutes, that is, for a time slightly less than that needed for a person to withdraw his car from the parking space and for another driver to place his car in the vacated space and insert the connector plug. The object sought and accomplished is to prevent unauthorized extension of the parking time by one person, but in such a stopping the motor are or may be the same as 1 previously described, but the accessories provided as safeguards when current is taken from the service line are omitted. A conductor I03 leads from one of the circuit closer contacts to the motor, with a branch I04 to the light changing switch. The return side of the motor is connected through the break switch 29 with the conductor I04 leading to the other contact of the circuit closer, with which also the return leads -of the signal lamps are connected. For the rest, the parts in Fig. 12 corresponding to those shown in the other figures are designated by the same reference characters.

In this case a physical connection by means of the cable exists between the connector and the automobile, and the cable may be heavily armored to make diflicult its being broken or cut by a motorist who has overstayed the time limit and wishes to depart without making himself known. A similar mechanical connection may also be made between the car and the connector by a steeltape or the like in the case where electrical power is supplied from a source external to the car. However, my invention'includes a provision for licensing and registration by the municipal or State authorities of the connectors possessed by all automobile owners. Each plug therefor is stamped or marked with the license identification, as indicated by the numerals appearing on the prong 40 in Fig. 3. Such designation then identifies the car owner who, having overstayed the time limit and found his connector locked in the box, has departed without notifying the oflicer on post; and it dispenses with the need of any physical connection between the car and the connector except in the case where the signal is operated by current taken from the car.

It is desirable that the connector, once applied to the signal .post should be locked thereto by a lock in the exclusive control of the licensed owner in order to prevent its theft and use by -which fits rotatably within the cup II2.

an unlicensed person. I have disclosed a suitable owner controlled lock in connection with the connectorillustrated in Figs. 3-6. The particular lock so illustrated is a keyless combination lock,

the advantages of which are obvious, although a key operated lock may be equally well used within the scope of the invention.

Describing that here shown,v the connector is formed with a body portion of suitable extent. on the side of which that .comes next .to the cas ing is a latch I05 adapted to be passed through a hole I06 in the wall of the casing and to hook over the lower edge of the hole. This latch is carried by a slide I01 to which is connected a handle I28. The slide is provided with two prongs or fingersI and I00. The finger -I00 occupies a groove IIO surrounded by a rib III on the end of a cylindrical cup H2, and the prong I09 occupies a similar groove II3 surrounded by a rib II4 on the end of a plug Plug II5 has a tubular stem IIO which passes through the connector body and is coupled with a disk II1 on its outer end. The cup H2 is coupled to a rod I21 which passes through the tubular stem H6 and on the outer end of which is secured a knob 8. A notch IIB is formed in the rib III at one side of the cup II2, just wide enough to pass the prong I00 when alined with the prong, and a similar notch I20 is formed in the rib H4. The knob III; and disk II1 are provided with dials, the indications of which, when.

binations is obtained by securing the dials in different angular relationships with the respective notches. Such placements and changes of combination are made readily possible by providing the rod I21 with "teeth or serrations I22 complemental to teeth surrounding the hole in the end wall of the cup through which the rod passes, and by providing the stem II6 with teeth or serrations I23 on its end complemental to serrations in the hole wherein it is received in the disk- II1. An obvious extension of this principle by providing additional cups and dials enables the lock to be made still more difficult to be unlocked by a thief. This lock, although simple in tumblers to indicate by sound when the notches are thus registered.

The outermost cup of the lock combination projects from the inner side of the connector body plate, and the hole I00 is made of the right size and shape to receive it. The slide I01 occupies a guideway in the inner side of the body plate and is centrally slotted to embrace the stem IIG, since the latch I05 and the handle I20 are on opposite sides of such stem. However, various modifications and rearrangements of these parts may be made within the scope of the invention. The same look may be used to secure the connector in a receptacle in the car and prevent its theft when not coupled with the parking indicator. It is not intended to take the place of the lock first described, release of which v requires cooperation of an oillcer, but is an adof time, by the controlling means.

during such times as the connector is free of the time lock.

The apparatus of this invention is primarily an aid to municipal authorities in enforcing parking regulations. Where installed for that purpose, its use by automobile parkers is, by law or regulation, made compulsory. A number of devices or apparatus such as described may be placed contiguous to all spaces or berths in which limited parking is permitted, whether the cars so parked are placed alongside or diagonal to the curb. Exhibition of a red light by the signal adjacent to any car shows the omcer on post at once that the motorist has overstayed the time, and eliminates the diflicult and uncertain methods now used of identifying overtime parkers. Absence of any light at all beside the berth occupied by a car shows 'that the owner has failed to comply with the law and is subject to investigation; while the presence of a green light shows that the car is legally parked. All difliculty of identification of illegally, parked cars among a large numberln a given area is thus completely eliminated.

Of course the principles of the invention may be embodied in many diverse constructions and forms, both as to the signals themselves and the controlling means and mechanisms. For instance, in order to economize consumption of current, the signals, instead of being constantly glowing lamps, may be devices in'the nature of targets or flags which are moved into diilerent positions, or diflerent ones of which are brought into a given position, automatically after lapse And. instead of using an electric motor as the prime mover oi the control mechanism, I mayuse a spring motor which is wound and reset with each release of a connector and put into action by insertion of a connector. What'I mean to express by these suggestions is that the invention is generic in its broader aspects, and that I claim a wide range of equivalents within the scope oi the protection here sought; while at the same time. claiming specifically the illustrative embodiment shown What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A parking indicator comprising two electric indicating signals adjacent to a parking berth, a separate connector, circuit closing means operable by application oi'said connector'ior actuating one of said signals, and electrically driven signal changing means, normally inoperative and set in operation by application of said connector for discontinuing the before specifledssignal and operating the other signal after lapse 01' a given time interval. f

2. A parking indicator comprising a support adjacent to a parking berth, aseparate connector applicable to and removable from said support,

distinctive electric signals mounted on the supadjacentto a parking berth, aseparate connector applicable to and removable from said support,

distinctive electricsign als mounted on the sup- 3., A parking indicator comprising 'a support port, an electric motor mounted on the support, a circuit changing switch normally in circuit connection with one of said signals exclusively in an otherwise normally open circuit and adapted to be shifted into exclusive circuit connection with the other signal, means for shifting said circuit changing switch after lapse of a predetermined time driven by said motor, circuit closing means operable by the applied connector for closing the circuits of both the said motor and signals, a normally releasable retaining latch for said connector, and locking means operable by said motor simultaneously with the shifting of said switch for preventing release of said latch.

4. A parking indicator comprising a support adjacent to a parking berth,a separate connector applicable to and removable fromsaid support, distinctive electric signals vmounted on the support, an electric motor mounted on the support,

a circuit changing switch normally in circuit connection with one of said signals exclusively in an otherwise normallyopen circuit and adapted to be shifted into exclusive circuitconnection with.

the other signal, means driven by said motor for shifting said switch at a given time after starting of the motor, circuit closing means operable by the applied connector forclosi'ng the circuits'of both the said motor and signals, a normally recuits, a change switch in a normally open circuit for closing the circuit to one or-the other of said,

signals exclusively, an electric motor, a break switch in the circuit of said motor, a connector for closing the electric supply circuit to said. signals and motor, and mechanism driven by the motor for shifting thechange switch and opening the break switchatter lapse of a predetermined time interval from the application of said connector.

6. A parking indicator comprising electric, sig- 7 nals in separate circuits, a change switch for closing the circuit to one or the other of said signals exclusively, an electric motor, a break switch in the circuit of said motor, a connector 'for closing the electric supply circuit to said signals and motor, mechanism driven by the motor for shifting the change switch and opening the break switch after lapse of a predetermined time interval from the application of said connector, an automatic intermittent circuit closer for one of said signals, and means for setting said intermittent circuit closer into action when the cpnnector is released. I v

7.' A parking indicator comprising electric sigrials in separate circuits, a changeswitch i'cir' closing the circuit to one or the other oi saidi signals exclusively, an electric motorfla' break switch in the circuit of said rriott'l r, onnector tor;

closing the electric supply jclrc'ultfto said and motor, mechanism izlriven by tli'fmotbii'ot shifting the change switch an openingthabreak switch after lapse oi a predetermined time interval from the application of said connector, a releasablelatch for securing the connector in ap-* plied position, intermittent circuit. closing means for one'oi' said signals, and'meanswhereb'ywith drawal and return of said'latch puts said inter-p mittent circuit closing means into operation.'

'8. 'A parking indicator comprising' twdeleotric 1, member, means operable by insertion of the consignal lights of different colors mounted in a visible positionadjacent to a parking berth, circuits for conducting electric current to said signal lights including a changeable switch adapted to be placed in either of two positions wherein respectively it directs current exclusively to one signal or the other, said changeable switchbeing normally in position to illuminate one of said signals, an electric motor, a timing member driven by said motor having means for shifting said changeable switch from the normal to'the other of said positions when the timing member arrives at a given point in the course of its driven travel, a normally open mainswitch in the supply circuit to said changeable switch and said electric motor, and a connector associated with a parked automobile removably cooperative with said main 'switch for completing said circuits.

9. An automobile parking indicator comprising an electric signal light, a normally open switch in the circuit to said light, an electric motor, a timing memberdriven by said motor organized to close said switch at a given point in the course of its motor driven travel, a connector associated with a parked automobile, and circuit closing means with which said connector is detachably cooperable for completing the current supplying circuit to said switch and said motor.

10. A parking indicator comprising a normally inoperative signal visibly mounted adjacent to a parking berth, and a control apparatus for said signal including a shiftable controller for said signal normally out of signal actuating position, a movable timing member constructed to shift said actuator into signal operating position when the timing member reaches a given point vin its travel, a motor, normally at rest, for driving said timing member, a connector associated with a parked automobile connectible with said control apparatus, and means cooperative with said connector when the latter is connected to the control apparatus for starting said motor.

11. A parking indicator comprising a stationary support adjacent to a parking berth, a signal and a control apparatus for said signal mounted tor being shiftable by the timingmember from a remote position into obstructing relation with the latch, and being retractable by manualoperation of the latch into its first position, and said reversible driving connections being then oper able to return the timing member to starting position.

12. A parking indicator comprising a stationary support adjacent to a parking berth; a signal and a controlapparatus for said signal mounted on said support, a connector associated with a parked automobile insertable in said control apparatus, a manually displaceable latch for securing the inserted connector, a timing member, means operated by said timing member for actuating said signal, a motor for driving the timing nector for starting said motor, an obstructor for said latch movable from a retracted position to an obstructing position in a path such that releasing movement of the latch returns it to the first position, and driving connections between said timing member and obstructor constructed to transmit motion from either to the other.

13. A parking indicator comprising a stationary support adjacent to a parking berth, a signal and a control apparatus for said signal mounted on said support, a connector associated with a parked automobile insertable in said control apparatus, a manually displaceable latch for securing the inserted connector, a timing member, means operated by said timing member for actuating said signal, a motor for driving the timing member, means operable by insertion of the connector for starting said motor, an obstructor for said latch, connections between said obstructor and timing member whereby the latter in its travel is adapted to shift the obstructor into obstructing relation to the latch, a lock for said obstructor, and means whereby the timing member puts said look into locking relation with said obstructor at a given point in the travel of the obstructor.

14. A parking indicator as set forth in claim 13 and comprising further a detachable key insertable into said'control apparatus for releasing said lock. v

15. In a control apparatus for the purpose set forth, a driving motor, a movable timing member, driving means between said motor and timing member including a clutch adapted to slip when the timing member is moved by superior force oppositely to the direction in which it is propelled by the motor, a connector insertable into said apparatus, a manually displaceable latch for holding said connector in place, and an obstructor for said'latch guided to move from retracted position to latch obstructing position in a path such that the latch, when moved to release the connector, is adapted to return the obstructor to previous position, and gearing between the timing member and obstructor operable to shift the obstructor when the timing member travels in its motor driven direction, and to return the tim.

ing member to starting position when the obstructor is moved by retractive movement or said latch.

16. A parking indicator comprising a signal visibly mounted adjacent to a parking berth; control mechanism for said signal comprising a motor normally at rest, a timing member coupled with said-motor to be driven thereby, and a signal actuator arranged to be placed -by said. timing member in signal actuating position when the timing member arrives at a given point in its movement, a connector associated with a parked automobile and detachably engageable with said control apparatus, means operated by such engagement for starting said motor, and means operated by the timing member for stopping the motor when saidv actuator is in such signal actuating position. I g

17. A parking signal indicator comprising a visible signal adjacent to'a parking berth, a control apparatus for said signal, a connector associated with a parked automobile detachably ap; plicable to said control apparatus, a motor, means cooperating with said connector for starting the motor, means operated by the motor for causing a continued actuation of the signal, and means operable on withdrawal of the connector for causing an intermittent actuation of said signal.

trol apparatus having provisions for reception detachably of said connector, circuit closing means for the signal adapted to be closed when the connector is applied and to be opened when the connector is withdrawn, intermittent circuit closing means for said signal, and means for setting said intermittent circuit closing means into action.

19. A parking indicator as set forth in claim 18, and in which the intermittent circuit closer comprising a vibratory spring and a complemental contact member normally separated therefrom, and actuating means therefor, consists of a displaceable retaining latch for the connector arranged to displace and flex said vibratory spring.

20. A support adjacent to a parking berth for automobiles, a separate connector associated with the parked automobile applicable to and removable from said support, a latch for engagement with the applied connector for preventing its removal, said latch being manually releasable, a substantially synchronously running motor on said support, being normally inactive, means for starting said motor by application of the connector to the support, a latch obstructor driven by said motor from a position withdrawn from the latch into another position wherein it obstructs the connector-releasing movement of the latch, said obstructor being located and movable in a path such that the movement of the latch in releasing the connector returns the obstructor to its first named position, a lock for preventing retractive movement of the obstructor and means controlled by the motor for actuating said look when the motor, has run for a predetermined length of time.

21. The combination of a stationary support adjacent to an automobile parking berth, a connector associated with an automobile parked in such berth insertable in said support, a manually displaceable latch for securing the inserted connector, a timing means, a normally inactive motor for driving said timing means, means operable by insertion of the connector for starting said motor, an obstructor for the latch, connections between said obstructor and timing means whereby the latter in its travel shifts the obstructor from non-obstructing into obstructing relation to the latch, a lock for said obstructor, and means whereby the timing means puts said lock into locking relation with the obstructor at a given point in the travel of the obstructor.

22. The combination of a stationary support adjacent to an automobile parking berth, a connector associated with an automobile parked in such berth insertable in said support, a manually displaceable latch for securing the inserted connector, a timing means, a. normally inactive electric motor, connections including a friction clutch structor at a given point in the travel of the obstructor, the last named means being further organized to operate said circuit interrupter so as to stop the motor.

23. A parking indicator comprising a standard mounted adjacent to a parking berth, a changeable visible signal and a casing mounted on said standard, the casing having an inlet for a connector member, timing means in the casing, means operable through the agency of a connector member inserted by the operator into said inlet for putting said signal in one indicating condition and setting the timing means in action, and means controlled by the timing means for changing the signal to a different indicating condition after lapse of a predetermined time.

24. A parking meter comprising a casing, a timing means and a motor within said casing, the motor being in driving connection with the timing means to impart motion thereto at aprescribed speed and being normally stationary, a signal visible from outside or the casing and changeable between one and the other of two conditions, in one of which it indicates present duration, and the other expiration, of a limited parking time, a connector member insertable into the casing, means operable solely by the connector when inserted for causing the motor to be started, and for putting the signal in the first of the beforenamed'condltions, and means whereby the timing means puts the signal inthe second of said conditions after lapse of time.

25. A parking indicator in fixed location adjacent to a parking berth comprising, in combination, a signal changeable between one condition which indicates present duration, and another condition which indicates expiration, o1 a prescribed parking time, a casing having an inlet for insertion of a connector member, timing apparatus in the casing including means for causing change of the signal from the first to the second of the above named conditions, and means located in the casing for operation by such a con- ROGER W. BA IBSON; 

